Chapter 113: Valentine's Day lancholy [side Yukari Tomonaga]
Today is Valentine's Day, and for so reason everyone is restless and in a rush.
Valentine's Day is great! Even if you buy a ton of chocolate at the supermarket, nobody gives you a "Huh?!" face!
Usually, if I buy too much, I kind of feel the cashier's eyes on ...I think.
But! On Valentine's Day! I can look like, "Oh, it's for baking!"
I ended up eating most of it myself, but for my very first boyfriend, Tatsuo-kun.
For Kuzu Tatsuo-kun! I made handmade chocolate for my prince...!
Will he be happy? Will he give a big hug like he used to?
...Lately, he's been busy? We hardly ever see each other.
Since he got suspended, he's been working hard at tennis club, apparently.
*Kuzu is looking for opportunities outside of school.
I asked him to make ti after school, so I could give him chocolate!
Fuhn fuh fuhn♪ I get to see Kuzu-kun!
...But since we're boyfriend and girlfriend, I want to call him by na, and I want him to call that too...
I go to school, finish the morning, and head to the cafeteria at lunch.
"Miso ran set, please. Extra rice, extra noodles."
Fuhn fuh fuhn♪
Waiting for your food to co out is the absolute best!
It makes so excited!
As I start eating at a seat in the corner of the cafeteria, here she is again across from ...
She's tall and, though I hate to admit it, beautiful—Mishima Satsuki sits down.
Satsuki: "...Yukari! I was looking for you. Eating alone again without saying anything...! If you'd just call , I'd eat with you, you know?"
Ugh! That "Oh well, can't be helped" look. Why though?
"How did you know I was here?"
Satsuki: "I've never seen you anywhere but here or at the vending machines, you know?"
"..."
I ignore her and slurp my miso ran.
At first I was like, cafeteria ran? Really? But the guys in my class rave about it. It's delicious! There's a lot! And the umami is off the charts!
...It's so true!
Lately, I'm hooked on this.
Satsuki is all about the health-conscious set here? Sandwich, salad, coffee.
It's 150 yen more than the miso ran set, and it's barely anything!
If it were a pork cutlet sandwich, I could forgive her.
Satsuki: "It's healthy, right?"
"...Healthy? Is that necessary?"
I reply flatly.
Satsuki says this ran is just the kind of thing high school boys wolf down, right?
Sothing about "girls' awareness" or whatever...huh?
"You're ruining my al. It's rude to the auntie who makes this, so could you leave...?"
That's how I really feel.
She's so noisy. I'm way more drawn to the kind of food high school boys love than what health-conscious girls go for, it's super tasty!
Satsuki: "Sorry! I'm sorry, Yukari, I didn't an to criticize you...I'm really sorry."
Satsuki rushes to apologize.
...No, I just want her to go.
Satsuki quiets down and, muttering, tells she made Valentine's chocolate for Yamamoto-kun, but when she saw him earlier, they argued and she didn't give it to him.
And that, being seen by people again, really got to her.
I eat the (plentiful) bean sprouts from my miso ran as I listen, totally unmoved.
I just listen. I can't say a thing.
Satsuki gives a little laugh,
Satsuki: "...Yukari, you never say anything, huh...?"
"..."
Satsuki: "...But honestly, I'm way happier with that than with aningless pleasantries. Right? Are you giving chocolate, Yukari?"
I mutter that I'm giving it to Kuzu-kun, at least.
Satsuki's face clouds over,
Satsuki: "...But, Kuzu-kun lately...? ...You haven't seen him, have you? ...Your boyfriend."
Mishima Satsuki seems like she wants to say more, but I ignore her and take my tray back.
Satsuki: "Ah! Wait!"
I move to the vending machine corner, buy a matcha latte, and sip it slowly on a bench.
Satsuki: "Matching!"
Satsuki buys the sa matcha latte and follows over.
So sweet, so good.
The only thing that can heal is sothing sweet!
Satsuki: "Whoa! So sweet! How many calories is this? If you drank this all the ti, your bodyline would get ruined!"
No matter what I eat or drink with her, it all tastes bad...
I guess I'm at my best when I'm feeling a little down, like when I have a boyfriend.
In the end, Satsuki stays by my side all through lunch break.
It's been like this for a while now...
☆ ☆ ☆
After school, special classroom building hallway
Kuzu: "...Thanks. ...If we're together too much, you know...?"
When I go to give him chocolate after school, Kuzu-kun avoids eting my eyes and quickly thanks before leaving.
...He said he had plans at lunch today, so after school was the only ti I could see him.
He's busy, right? It can't be helped, right?
We both already got suspended for inappropriate relationships...
"Hey, wait?"
I call out to Kuzu-kun as he's leaving.
Kuzu-kun turns around—in winter, he looks so cool in a black tracksuit with flashy lines down the arms.
He's tall and slender, lean but muscular, with a face as gentle, neat, and princely as ever.
But, but his eyes are different.
They're nothing like the eyes he had back when we got together in the fall.
He says kind things to , but that's all.
I'm pretty sure he's just not interested in anymore.
I could see it plainly when I looked in his eyes.
Kuzu Tatsuo-kun has no interest in at all.
He's just going through the motions, staying with out of obligation.
What does it even an to be together? When we can't even et.
I knew it, but I kept looking away.
I knew it, but I pretended I didn't.
Probably about three months ago, after the suspension, rumors started up, and to calm things down I talked to Osada-san and we promised not to break up while still in school...I think that's when Kuzu-kun's heart started to drift away...
I kept looking away, refusing to think about it.
"See you, Kuzu-kun."
"Yeah, see you."
So he won't even call by na?
Haha, well, I guess it can't be helped. Kuzu-kun always said he hates chubby girls, right?
Lately I've stopped looking in the mirror, and I don't step on the scale anymore.
I'm done.
No, I'll try again!
My heart says it's over...
One more thing,
There's one more thing I've been avoiding.
"...Maybe this is karma for betraying Kousuke-kun?"
With a heavy heart, I return to the main entrance.
Mishima Satsuki is leaning against the wall with her arms crossed next to the shoe lockers.
I don't even feel like talking to her, so I ignore her and head ho.
When I walk past her, she follows .
...I keep ignoring her and continue on,
Satsuki "...Here. I'll give you so chocolate."
It's probably chocolate she didn't give to her boyfriend, Yamamoto... The chocolate didn't do anything wrong...
I accept the chocolate she offers .
The only thing that can heal now is sothing sweet...
After that, Satsuki silently walks beside .
She doesn't say anything, so I'll let it go, but honestly, I wish she'd just leave alone.
We arrive at Toko Station. I get off here, and Satsuki gets off at the next station, Shinkawa, so we part ways here.
I'm grateful that she didn't say anything.
But today... I really just want to be alone.
As I'm about to get off, Satsuki calls out to .
Satsuki "...Hey..."
"..."
I have no intention of answering, so... later.
Satsuki "...Wanna go to Ore Kare? I'll treat you."
"Let's go."
I replied instantly, without a mont's hesitation.
The only one who can heal now is Kagetora-san, the manager of Ore Kare...!
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